How Long Do Braces Take? An Honest Answer From a Connecticut Orthodontist
June 2nd, 2026
Category: Braces, Invisalign, Treatment Planning
It's the first question almost everyone asks when they sit down in my chair: "Okay — so how long is this going to take?"
It's a fair question. Whether you're a parent weighing braces for your teen, an adult finally doing something you've put off for years, or you're just tired of hiding your smile in photos, you want a straight answer before you commit. And you deserve one.
So here it is, honestly: most braces treatment takes somewhere between 12 and 24 months, with the average landing around 18 months. But "average" is doing a lot of work in that sentence — and the real answer depends on a handful of things I can only know after I actually look at your teeth.
As Dr. Ross Aronson, a board-certified orthodontist serving families across Southbury, Waterbury, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Watertown, and Newtown, Connecticut, I'd rather give you the real picture than a number that sounds good on a brochure. Let me walk you through it.
The Short Answer: Typical Treatment Timelines
Here's the honest range for the most common cases we see at our Southbury and Waterbury offices:
- Minor crowding or spacing: 6–12 months
- Average cases (most teens and adults): 12–24 months
- Complex bite correction (significant overbite, underbite, or crossbite): 24–36 months
If you want a deeper look at the bite issues that push treatment toward the longer end, we wrote a full guide on overbites, underbites, and crossbites that explains why some corrections simply take more time.
The single most important thing to understand is this: a shorter timeline isn't automatically better. Moving teeth too quickly can damage roots and gum tissue, and rushing a bite correction is how you end up back in treatment a few years later. Good orthodontics moves at the speed your biology allows — not faster.
What Actually Determines How Long Your Braces Will Take
Two patients can walk in on the same day with what looks like the same crooked smile and finish months apart. Here's what drives the difference.
1. The complexity of your case
Straightening a few crowded front teeth is a very different job than closing large gaps, rotating stubborn teeth, or correcting how your upper and lower jaws fit together. The more your bite needs to change — not just how your teeth look, but how they function — the longer treatment generally takes.
2. Your age
Kids and teens often move a little faster because their jaws are still developing, which is one reason the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation around age 7. That doesn't mean adult treatment takes forever — about one in three of our patients is an adult, and they get excellent results. Adult bone is just a bit more set, so the body sometimes needs a little extra time.
3. The type of treatment you choose
Traditional and clear braces and Invisalign clear aligners can both produce beautiful results, but they work a little differently and suit different cases. More on that below.
4. How well you follow the plan — this one's the big one
This is the factor you control, and it matters more than almost anything else. With braces, that means keeping your appointments and protecting your brackets (skip the popcorn and ice — broken brackets add weeks). With Invisalign, it comes down to one number: 22 hours of wear per day. Patients who treat their aligners like an optional accessory are the ones who end up surprised that treatment dragged on. I'll always be honest with you about this at your visits.
5. Seeing the same doctor every time
This sounds small, but it's not. At many practices, you see a different provider at each visit and continuity gets lost. Here, you see Dr. Aronson at every single appointment — no rotating associates, no rushed handoffs. Consistent oversight means problems get caught early and your treatment stays on track, which protects your timeline. It's a big part of what sets our practice apart.
Does Invisalign Take Longer Than Braces?
This is probably the second-most-common question I hear, so let's settle it.
For mild to moderate cases, Invisalign often finishes in a comparable timeframe to braces — frequently 12 to 18 months — as long as you wear the aligners as directed. For more complex bite corrections, traditional braces are sometimes the more efficient tool, because they give an orthodontist more direct control over difficult tooth movements.
The honest truth is that the "faster" option is whichever one is right for your mouth and your discipline. As a top 1% Invisalign provider, I'm a big believer in clear aligners — but I'll never push you toward a treatment that fits your lifestyle better than it fits your teeth. If you're weighing the two, our full Invisalign vs. braces comparison breaks down the trade-offs in plain English.
"Can I Get My Braces Off Faster?"
Sometimes — and here's how, honestly:
- Wear what you're told to wear. Aligners 22 hours a day. Elastics exactly as prescribed. This is the number one accelerator.
- Protect your hardware. Every broken bracket or lost aligner is lost time.
- Don't miss adjustments. Skipped or rescheduled appointments stall progress more than people realize.
- Practice great oral hygiene. Inflamed gums slow tooth movement and can force us to pause treatment.
Be cautious about any clinic or product promising dramatically faster results than everyone else. "Six-month smiles" and mail-order aligners can leave deeper bite problems untouched — which is exactly how people end up needing a second round of treatment. Real, lasting results come from a properly diagnosed plan, not a shortcut.
What Happens After the Braces Come Off?
Here's something a lot of people don't expect: treatment isn't truly "done" when the braces come off. Teeth have memory and naturally want to drift back, so wearing your retainer as directed is what protects the investment you just made. We go deep on this in our guide to whether you really need to wear your retainer — and the short version is: yes, you really do.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces Timelines
How long do braces take on average? For most teens and adults, braces take about 12 to 24 months, with 18 months being typical. Minor cases can finish in under a year, while complex bite corrections may take two to three years.
How long does Invisalign take compared to braces? For mild to moderate cases, Invisalign often takes a similar amount of time to braces — roughly 12 to 18 months — provided you wear the aligners about 22 hours a day. Complex cases are sometimes faster with traditional braces.
Do braces work faster for kids than adults? Often, slightly. A child or teen's jaw is still developing, so teeth can move a bit more readily, which is why early evaluation around age 7 is recommended. Adults still get excellent results; treatment may simply take a little longer.
Can I speed up my braces treatment? The most effective way is to follow your plan exactly — wear your elastics and aligners as directed, avoid broken brackets, keep every appointment, and maintain great oral hygiene. Be skeptical of products or clinics promising unusually fast results.
How will I know my real timeline? Only a hands-on evaluation can give you an accurate estimate. At your free consultation, Dr. Aronson examines your teeth and bite, takes a digital scan, and gives you a realistic timeline and cost — before you commit to anything.
Get a Real Timeline — Not a Guess
The truthful answer to "how long do braces take?" is: it depends on your smile. The only way to get a number you can actually plan around is to have it looked at by a specialist.
At Aronson Orthodontics, your free consultation includes a digital scan and a straightforward conversation about your timeline, your options, and your cost — including our flexible payment plans and 0% APR financing. We're in-network with Cigna, Anthem, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, and we accept all dental PPO plans, so we'll walk through your insurance and financing clearly before you decide anything. No referral required, and virtual consultations are available.
Whether you're in Southbury, Waterbury, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Watertown, or Newtown, CT, we'd love to help you understand exactly what your path to a straighter smile looks like.
Schedule your free consultation today — and let's get you a real answer.
Dr. Ross Aronson is a board-certified orthodontist and a top 1% Invisalign provider with offices in Southbury and Waterbury, CT. He personally plans and oversees every patient's treatment from the first visit to the final result. Read patient reviews or meet the team.